With a love of many topics…books, movie, products, parenting, etc…, this is where I allow myself to share my opinions with the world and probably insert my foot in mouth a few times…I'll apologize now :3

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library. Hosted by Babs @Babs Book Bistro

All pictures are linked to goodreads

This week I have found four books that are completely different. Bird Box by Josh Malerman is creepy and dark. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George…a book about books. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray is a magical historical fiction. And Glass Town by Steven Savile sounds like a wonderful dark and thrilling story.

Have you found anything interesting this week? Let me know in the comments and please leave your Friday Finds if you have one.

YOU CHOOSE is a weekly meme. Every week (starting on Thursdays) I will be posting 3 books that are on my TBR list that I want to read and YOU CHOOSE which one is the winner. These can be books in any format, on your own shelf, or borrow from a friend or library.

The Adventures of Archibald and Jockabeb – In the Forest by Art Collins

The first book in the series begins when Archibald and Jockabeb sneak out of their house at midnight to hunt for a secret cave that was marked on an old map they’d found earlier in the day. The two brothers, who are twelve and eleven, end up finding and entering the secluded cave hidden deep within an eerie forest. After the boys descend a stone staircase, they discover a subterranean lake where an underwater dragon lives. The underwater dragon is actually a young Indian brave, Haktu, who many years before was transformed into the dragon by four evil warriors of the Black Raven Tribe. After Archibald repeats the magic words, “Nito, Vito, Samu,” Haktu is returned to his natural body. The three young boys then run for their lives when they are chased by flying wolf-crows that are part snarling wolf and part giant black crow.

This initial encounter begins Archibald’s and Jockabeb’s first amazing adventure—an incredible adventure that spans the next year. During that time, the two brothers become reacquainted with Haktu after they along with their younger sister, Tess, find his lost pony, Uno. Still pursued by the deadly wolf-crows, the boys learn more about Haktu’s family, including the details of how he was captured by the Black Raven warriors. When Haktu finally says good-bye, he gives Archibald a magic blue feather. The blue feather plays an important role in subsequent books as Archibald and Jockabeb find themselves in one life-threatening predicament after another.

While the settings change from book to book, the two brothers always meet fascinating characters—some good, and some evil; some human, and some anything but; some from this world, and some otherworldly beyond belief. As the boys grow older and travel across the United States, and to faraway places like the Amazon, the Caribbean, the Arctic, and the Orient, they learn the true meaning of friendship. The reader also learns interesting facts about the various places Archibald and Jockabeb visit, while witnessing the classic battle between the forces of good and evil play out in different ways.

The Girls by Emma Cline

Girls—their vulnerability, strength, and passion to belong—are at the heart of this stunning first novel for readers of Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Virgin Suicides and Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad.

Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong.

Emma Cline’s remarkable debut novel is gorgeously written and spellbinding, with razor-sharp precision and startling psychological insight. The Girls is a brilliant work of fiction—and an indelible portrait of girls, and of the women they become.

The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse

Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That’s what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.
However, Gwen doesn’t know this. She’s just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn’t know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she’ll discover she’s in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.
She’ll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won’t be the only one. Peter Pan’s constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she’s going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she’s going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.

Description (Goodreads)

Emma Brewster comes from a long line of Brewster witches and she is not only a witch but a fire-starter witch. She is suppose to be able to control that element but so far she can’t control much of anything when she comes in contact with a handsome man. Now why is she always bumping into that new, handsome man who just so happens to be a Fire Fighter. She has taken to wearing colored contacts and sunglasses, even on cloudy days so her eyes don’t see him that clearly… but he always seems to be around. Boy is he hot… and oh drats there goes another fire cropping up!

Cas O’Halloran came to this suppose sleepy town to get away from the big city life, except once he bumped into that beautiful redheaded woman on that rainy morning at the bagel shop, his life has been anything but normal or low keyed. His Chief said there have been more unexplained little fires since his arrival than anytime in the history Cadwell Harbor. ‘This once sleepy, picturesque town is constantly on fire’. So Cas wants to find out why, but he also wants to find out why of all women he is attracted to this red-head who wears sunglasses on rainy, cloudy days and if that’s not bad enough, he feels electrified and alive when he touches her.

Cadwell Harbor will never see a quiet Halloween again if Emma Brewster and Cas O’Halloran have anything to do with it. Nor will it be left standing if those two don’t settle down… one way or another.

My Thoughts

Emma Brewster tries all she can do to keep the fires from getting out of control especially when she comes in contact with Cas O’Halloran. This was a love at first sight kind of story. You suspect that with only 148 pages, but was a lot of…oh I want him but I can’t have him. Even for how short the story it was, this part got tiresome.

I knew there was going to be romance, but instead we got erotica. I don’t mind crude language and dirty words, but when they sneak up on me without any notice I’m like…

I enjoyed the idea of the story, but it just felt too rushed. It was laid out as a feel good story…boy meets girl, they fall in love, they live happily ever after.

The funniest part of the story was Emma’s two cats, Mika and Midnight. They are her familiars and they love to taunt each other. I found myself wondering what kind of trouble the would be getting themselves into.

RATING:

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Lana used to know what was real.

That was before when her life was small and quiet.
Her golden step-brother, Ben, was alive, she could only dream about bonfiring with the populars, their wooded island home was idyllic, she could tell the truth from lies, and Ben’s childhood stories were firmly in her imagination.

Then came after.

After has Lana boldly kissing her crush, jumping into the water from too high up, and living with nerve and mischief. But after also has horrors, deaths that only make sense in fairy tales, and terrors from a past Lana thought long forgotten: Love, blood, and murder.

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 2, 2016

Why am I excited?

This sounded like an interesting story…leaving me wanting to know more. What happened to Lana? Reviews are calling it creepy and disturbing. HELL YEAH!

Description (Goodreads)

Grant Whitus joined the Colorado SWAT in 1992. His 17 year career was one of constant headlines. Among leading countless drug raids and hostage situations, he was on the front lines of the Columbine Massacre, the Platte County Tragedy, the Albert Petrosky shooting, and the Granby tank rampage.

Speaking for the first time, Whitus gives the unvarnished truth of those, and many other, major SWAT operations. Now retired, he opens up about his time behind the shield. Bullet Riddled is the full unabridged disclosure of what happened during his storied career; including the brutal morning of the Columbine Massacre. More than just a retelling, Bullet Riddled is an in-depth look at the day-to-day of SWAT and focuses on the men and women who inherit so much pain to keep us safe.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy. The following days saw major changes within SWAT: Men cracked, leaders folded and the entire country demanded changes. But these changes, like all reforms, met with stiff resistance from the old guard. Friendships turned into rivals and the infrastructure of SWAT began to unravel. As resignations piled up, Grant rebuilt the entire team from hand-selected recruits. He finally had his elite team, one that would face new demons and disorders.

My Thoughts

Grant tells the story of his 17 years on the Colorado SWAT. This was a painful story to read a times because Grant takes us into the Columbine Massacre and explains what happened on that horrible day. We all have seen the news, read the stories, or even watched the movies, but listening to the person that was first on scene…well, there is no words for it.

Grant explains how the events played out and where improvements are needed in SWAT. After Columbine, Grant knew that changes had to be made and started building a better time.

Even though, this story was a short 5 hours and 12 minutes, I still found it dragged on in spots. Bennett was easy to listen to, but there was times that the spacing was just a bit too slow. However, during the times when tensions were high and action was needed, I was holding onto every word that Bennett used.

I found it interesting looking into the life of someone that has seen so many terrible things, but at the same time it was difficult listening to how mean and bitter he could be at times. We do get a glimpse at how these horrible events affect each individual differently.

RATING:

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Title: These Vicious MasksAuthor: Tarun Shanker and Kelly ZekasGenre: Young Adult, FantasyPublisher: Swoon ReadsPublication Date: February 2016Pages: 298How did I get this book: Borrowed it from the library

Description (Goodreads)

England, 1882. Evelyn is bored with society and its expectations. So when her beloved sister, Rose, mysteriously vanishes, she ignores her parents and travels to London to find her, accompanied by the dashing Mr. Kent. But they’re not the only ones looking for Rose. The reclusive, young gentleman Sebastian Braddock is also searching for her, claiming that both sisters have special healing powers. Evelyn is convinced that Sebastian must be mad, until she discovers that his strange tales of extraordinary people are true—and that her sister is in graver danger than she feared.

My Thoughts

I am in love!!! Review over.

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Just kidding…but seriously, I am in love with this book. They say this book is Pride & Prejudice meets The X-Men. Now with full disclosure, I have never read Pride & Prejudice. I’m sorry, but classics scare me. I promise I will get to it this year sometime.

So with that being said, I still think there is a Pride & Prejudice feel from everything I know. The story is in England during the 1800s and a woman’s job is to look pretty and drink tea. Is that right? Well, even if it isn’t , I pictured women in old Victorian dress sitting upright with their tea gossiping about the latest scandal.

Oh, and that is what I got. Now lets throw the x-men in there and give it a big stir. We have powers. Extraordinary strength, super healing, seeing the future, forcing everyone to tell the truth when you talk to them, etc…. If you think that sounds awesome – IT WAS!!

I loved the characters even when I hated them. Or I start out loving them and then I hate them. OR I hate them and then I love them. YOU GET THE POINT.

We have Evelyn and Rose. Sisters that go against society norms for women during this time by giving people medical attention…only something men did during this time. Rose disappears and Evelyn goes on a mission to find her. Evelyn proves to be a kick ass main character for her time. She is NOT going to let anyone tell her what to do. Not her parents, men, or even society. She is stubborn in this way which makes you laugh at the things she says, plus pumping your hands in the air as you fill with pride. You can’t help to love her with all of her sarcasm and sassy attitude.

Then we have Sebastian Braddock…distant, cocky, sneaky. Can we trust him? Should we trust him? Sebastian sent my emotions on a roller coaster ride. He also does a good job at pissing off Mr. Kent…the kind, handsome gentleman that set off to help Evelyn find her sister. Secrets…just so many secrets.

Now I bet your thinking that there is some awful love triangle in this book. I mean we do have 1 girl and 2 boys…got to be a love triangle. You don’t have to worry. Any affection that is brewing in These Vicious Mask is slow burning, making it natural and not having your eyes roll out of your head. Plus Evelyn is too worried about her sister that she doesn’t have time for romance.

I have raved so much about These Vicious Masks that I wouldn’t want to leave you thinking that it is perfect. I did have a few minor issues. Sometimes the pacing was a little slower than I would like it. And there could have been a little bit more action. A book filled with powers you kind of expect powers. But, I still felt fulfilled by the end of the book. Oh and lets not forget about the cover…yes it is a pretty cover, but I don’t think that it really suits this book.

I’m scared that if I keep writing that I will end up spoiling the book for you. I just want to say that Shanker and Zekas did an amazing job leaving you with an ending that breaks and warms your heart.

When I went into this book I didn’t know that there was more to come…I really need to pay attention to what I read. Now I am left feeling lost and heartbroken while I wait for the next one, These Ruthless Deeds, which is not until March 2017.

RATING:

Did I like it? Yes…I love this bookWould I reread it? This will be going on my self of rereads…I’ll probably do that before the next one come out.Would I purchase it? Can’t waitWould I recommend it? Of Course…Victorian Era with powers

Title: Crisanta Knight: Protagonist BoundAuthor: Geanna CulbertsonGenre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fairy TalePublisher: Boutique of Quality BooksPublication Date: May 2016Pages: 434How did I get this book: I received an ARC from Net Galley

Description (Goodreads)

I was going to be a great protagonist. At least that’s what my mom, Cinderella, kept telling me. I, however, had my doubts. Unlike most main characters at Lady Agnue’s School for Princesses & Other Female Protagonists, I was opinionated, bold, and headstrong.

Moreover, for a princess, I had a lot of issues. I’m talking vicious nightmares about people I’ve never met, a total stalker prince, and a Fairy Godmother for an enemy. But I digress. Because here’s the thing about living in an enchanted realm of fairytale characters, crazy junk you never planned on happens all the time. One minute you could be practicing fainting exercises in Damsels in Distress class, sword fighting in a field, or flying on a Pegasus, and the next, BAM! Your book has begun and you’re saddled with a prophecy that changes everything.

I still don’t know if I will be a great protagonist one day. But I know one thing about my fate, for certain. Despite what The Author and the antagonists have in store for me, whatever it costs. . .I’ll be the one taking charge of my own story.

My Thoughts

Opening up this book is like starting a Disney movie. You know when a movie starts and you hear the protagonist talking about what their life was supposed to look like or the path they were supposed to take? This the feeling that I got.

We have SJ which stand for Snow Junior, Snow Whites daughter if you didn’t guess that. She is brilliant when it comes to potions and embraces her princess side. Next is Blue who is not a princess at all. She wears a blue cloak like her sister who wears a red one…can you guess who that is. And Last we have Crisanta Knight who is the daughter of Cinderella, but fights against everything that is her mother’s world. All three are different, but have become best friends throughout their years at Lady Agnue’s School for Princesses & Other Female Protagonists.

Oh and did I mentioned that they live in a place called Book where someone called the Author writes their future for them (this kind of sounds like a TV show I watch). While most people in Book accept that this is how their life is and how it has been for as far back as anyone can remember, but this is something that Crisanta can not accept.

I did lose some steam during the middle, but it picked back up again leaving me anticipating the end. I thought I knew what was going to happen. It just seemed like a fun story about the children of my old fairy tales; however, it turned out to be something much more. A quest to change Book. Once Crisanta and her friends set out on this quest we discover secrets…secrets that I never seen coming.

Crisanta was a strong female character that didn’t want someone else telling her what to do and how to live her life. She didn’t want to be forced to be a princess when she had another path in her mind. I love characters like this, but I did have one problem with Crisanta. She doesn’t want to be a damsel in distress that she has a difficult time accepting help when needed.

Does this sound like something you would like to read? You should know that this is only book one which will leave you wanting to know what happens. Book 2 will be coming to the series in December 2016. I thought this was a standalone going in. I was disappointed and excited when I got to the end.

One more thing — it could of had a better cover, but that doesn’t take away from what was inside.

This ebook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Net Galley.

Author

Did I like it? Yes, I loved entering a fairy tale world through a different doorWould I reread it? Yes I willWould I purchase it? Yes this is going on my list of books to buyWould I recommend it? If you like fairy tales or even the TV show Once Upon A Time, then I think you will like this.

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library. Hosted by Babs @Babs Book Bistro

All pictures are linked to goodreads

Emmy-winning actress Veronica Walsh is accustomed to role-playing. Over her thirty-two year career on the soap opera Days and Nights, her character has been a businesswoman, wife (multiple times), mother, prison inmate and fugitive. None of that prepared Veronica for the role of real-life sleuth.

When Veronica cannot land a new part after the soap’s cancellation, she returns to her Adirondack hometown for what she hopes is a temporary visit. No sooner does she arrive than Veronica finds herself in a swirl of turmoil, with her neighbor at the center. In the span of a few hours, powerful businesswoman Anna Langdon extends an invitation to Veronica to discuss a business proposal, ends a short romance with Veronica’s high school beau, threatens to evict one of her retail tenants and thwarts a deal to build a mall on local farmland. Veronica receives an unexpected welcome-home present when she finds Anna’s body the next morning, the cast-iron skillet used to kill her lying at her feet. Soon Veronica is chasing leads with the help of friend Mark Burke and her former co-star Alex Shelby.

Twists straight from a soap script, including two leading men vying for her attention, entangle Veronica as she gathers clues. Will Veronica solve the case, or will the killer be as elusive as an acting job? And will she play the heroine or the damsel in distress?

Have you found anything interesting this week? Let me know in the comments and please leave your Friday Finds if you have one.

YOU CHOOSE is a weekly meme. Every week (starting on Thursdays) I will be posting 3 books that are on my TBR list that I want to read and YOU CHOOSE which one is the winner. These can be books in any format, on your own shelf, or borrow from a friend or library.

All pictures are linked to goodreads

The Island of the Dolls is a strange and eerie tourist destination in Mexico, where hundreds of decomposing dolls hang from trees like grisly Christmas ornaments. On a trip to the island, Joyce Parker’s daughter falls in love with a beautiful but sinister doll. Soon after, she starts developing strange mannerisms that concerns Joyce. Her research into the doll’s past reveals a dark history, and the curse of a lonely child spirit.

The world can be a very strange place in general and when you open the pages of this true crime anthology you will quickly learn that the criminal world specifically can be as bizarre as it is dangerous. In the following book, you will be captivated by mysterious missing person cases that defy all logic and a couple cases of murderous mistaken identity. Follow along as detectives conduct criminal investigations in order to solve cases that were once believed to be unsolvable. Every one of the crime cases chronicled in the pages of this book are as strange and disturbing as the next.

The twelve true crime stories in this book will keep you riveted as you turn the pages, but they will probably also leave you with more questions than answers. For instance, you will be left pondering how two brothers from the same family could disappear with no trace in similar circumstances over ten years apart. You will also wonder how two women with the same first and last names, but with no personal connections, could be murdered within the same week in the same city. The examination of a number of true crime murder cases that went cold, but were later solved through scientific advances, will also keep you intrigued and reading.

Open the pages of this book, if you dare, to read some of the most bizarre cases of disappearances, mistaken identity, and true murder. Some of the cases will disturb and anger you, but make no mistake, you will want to keep reading!

Sixteen-year-old Claire Young is tormented by a recurring, prophetic nightmare and visitations from gruesome, mutilated ghosts. She’s convinced the apparitions intend to harm her widowed father, but there’s little she can do locked away in Saint Thomas Psychiatric Hospital. Her situation is hopeless until a mysterious priest delivers the name of a man who may be the only one willing to help. Claire launches a daring scheme that leads her and her best friend to a former paranormal investigator.

But the matter is complicated by Claire’s own father. Convinced his daughter is schizophrenic, he’ll send Claire back to Saint Thomas permanently if he discovers she’s still clinging to her delusions. Claire and her friends must tread lightly to complete the investigation, but amid bizarre twists and chilling encounters, she’ll discover her home’s basement is hiding something far more sinister than just ghosts.

My 3 picks for this week are free kindle ebooks that I have. All of them are fairly short. What do you think I should start with?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne, is the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on 30th July 2016

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places.

RELEASE DATE: JULY 31, 2016

Why am I excited?

I love Harry Potter…that is why! I am interested in how this is put together. Can something be pulled off that Harry Potter fans will enjoy. And what does Harry’s life consist of after the one chapter information dump in the last book.

Is this book on your TBR? What new release are you anticipating?

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My name is Marie. I am a mother of 4 teenagers that I love beyond words, but sometimes I need my me time, and I find that in doing things that bring my joy. I am looking forward to connecting with people that share my same interests.
I love reading, which has brought me to creating this blog. I also have other interests, such as crocheting, jewelry making, and writing.